Trail Blazers remain 'open' to Brandon Roy returning for NBA playoffs

PHOENIX — One day after
Brandon Roy
did his first post-operative activity, the Trail Blazers are leaving open the option that the All-Star guard can return in the playoffs, perhaps as soon as the first round series against Phoenix.

Roy, who had minor surgery on April 16 to repair
the torn meniscus in his right knee
, shot free throws on Monday and moved around on the knee, reporting to athletic trainer Jay Jensen and general manager
Kevin Pritchard
that he was encouraged. Roy said there is no swelling or pain.

“He looks terrific, he really does,’’ Pritchard said. “And Brandon feels really good. Does that mean he is going to play? No. It means we are going to leave the option open.’’

The Blazers have a 1-0 lead in their best-of-seven first-round series with the Suns. If the series is extended to Game 7, it will be played May 1 in Phoenix.

After his surgery, the Blazers said Roy would be out “at least 1 to 2 weeks,” and Pritchard said they were intentionally vague in releasing that timeline. He, and the rest of the team, also remain sensitive to any questions about Roy.

“Are you trying to get me to say there is a chance he will play in this series?’’ Pritchard asked before today’s Game 2 shootaround. “Because what I want to do is keep it open ended. If this thing does go long and he has an opportunity to come back, and he’s feeling all right, we will look at it, absolutely.’’

Roy on Tuesday via text message said he would talk about his knee at Wednesday's practice in Tualatin.

This much is known: The surgery was very minor, and very clean. Usually in an arthroscopy, three holes or incisions are made in the knee to get to the meniscus. In Roy’s surgery, only two holes were done, which should accelerate his healing process.

Combined with Roy’s eagerness to play, it appears possible — although slight — that Roy could play against Phoenix. If the Blazers advance to the second round, Roy’s return to the court would be almost certain, Pritchard said.

“The thing with this injury is there is a high degree of variability,’’ Pritchard said. “You go in, you do what you do, then some people can come back sooner. So what we always want to do is give the option to the player. He’s a tough kid, and I never want to tell a player he can’t play, specifically if he can’t reinjure the knee. So I’m always very cognizant and sensitive to that. And you know Brandon, he wants to get out there the split-second he can. That’s why it’s so open right now.’’